ASUS today announced the new A88XM-A and A55BM-A/USB3 motherboards, the first from any manufacturer to support new Socket FM2+ APUs (Accelerated Processing Units) from AMD. The A88XM-A with AMD A88X chipset and A55BM-A/USB3 with A55 chipset are both Micro-ATX motherboards for existing AMD 'Richland' and 'Trinity' FM2 APUs, and are hardware-ready for upcoming AMD 'Kaveri' FM2+ APUs that support DirectX 11.1 and PCI Express 3.0 natively. ASUS is committed to supporting the latest in PC technology. The new FM2+ motherboards offer customers the very latest in motherboard design, with the added flexibility of both backward and forward compatibility with AMD APUs.

Electrostatic-discharge guards also protect sensitive components from electromagnetic interference and high-quality solid capacitors, industry-rated for a lifespan for over 50 years of continuous use under typical operating conditions (at 65 degrees Centigrade), last more than twice as long as traditional electrolytic capacitors. Additionally, chromium oxide-plated stainless steel rear I/O subjected to 72-hour spray salt endurance tests for superior corrosion resistance and an increased lifespan.

Full AMD FM2+ motherboard range planned
The ASUS A88XM-A and A55BM-A/USB3 motherboards will be joined later by more models. Full details on the entire ASUS FM2+ motherboard range will be released later in the year.

Pricing and Availability
Pricing and availability for the ASUS A88XM-A and A55BM-A/USB3 vary by region.

If I recall correctly, AMD released the AM3+ 9xx series chipsets well in advance of the Zambezi FX processors. For quite some time, all 9xx series motherboards were reviewed with the Thuban Phenom II processor. Hell, my ASUS 970 motherboard I bought back then is still housing my Thuban, as I haven't seen any reason to upgrade (I'm hoping Steamroller changes that, but I'm not holding my breath).

In short, I don't think the launching of FM2+ motherboards implies a soonish launch for Kaveri products.

AMD's most recent official roadmap has Kaveri scheduled for the second half of 2013. Some unconfirmed rumors from DigiTimes and other sites say it may not be released until well into 2014. I guess we've got to wait and see.

AMD's most recent official roadmap has Kaveri scheduled for the second half of 2013. Some unconfirmed rumors from DigiTimes and other sites say it may not be released until well into 2014. I guess we've got to wait and see.

Never try to expand in an unproven market by shafting the proven one. And you know it wouldn't be quite so atrocious if it was actually gold colored. The heatsinks are off but the plastic is in another zip code.

Actually the issue is the mobo makers releasing the boards early to get as many sales as possible. Those who are anxious to have a Kaveri can use a Trinity or Richland now and be all ready when Kaveri launchs.

What should be obvious from the release of this Asus mobo is that Kaveri is set in stone and ready for mass production and distribution. This would suggest that AMD has done their work and that all is well. Asus has the inside line with AMD and provides prototype mobos for certification before production. Once everything is good to go, Asus has the jump start on releasing new AMD mobos.

Q4 is the target date for some of the first models to ship with the rest rolling out in H1 of '14.

I find it comical that people actually get excited or upset over the color of the mobo and sockets... You've completely missed the purpose of the mobo and have been sucked into marketing hype.

FINALLY, AMD has come up with a PCIe 3.0 controller. I'm interested to see what that means for AM3+ which is still using the 900 series NB/SB which are getting long in the tooth and were pretty much rebrands of the non-IGP based 800 series chipsets, am I right?

AM2+ supported all AM2 processors, AM3+ supported all AM3 processors, FM2+ supports all FM2 processors. The one difference is the AM3 Phenom II processors that are operable in AM2-AM3+ boards since they have dual DDR2/DDR3 memory controllers.